UAE, India hold 13th Joint Task Force on Investments meeting

Abu Dhabi hosted the latest meeting of the India-UAE High Level Joint Task Force on Investments.

The meeting was co-chaired by H.H. Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Managing Director of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) and Piyush Goyal, India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry.

Senior officials, investment leaders and company representatives from both nations attended the meeting.

The UAE side included Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, Ahmed Jassim Al Zaabi, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development and UAE Chambers, Dr. Abdulnasser Alshaali, UAE Ambassador to India and Younis Haji Al Khouri, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Finance.

The Indian delegation included Ambassador Sunjay Sudhir and representatives from key ministries and agencies. These covered the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Department of Commerce, Department of Economic Affairs, Department of Revenue, Reserve Bank of India, NPCI, Department of Space and Invest India.

The Joint Task Force, created in 2013, serves as a forum to strengthen bilateral economic ties. It helps identify opportunities and resolve issues faced by investors in both countries.

The latest meeting addressed trade, investment flows and future cooperation. Discussions highlighted the positive trends created by the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which came into force in May 2022.

In the first half of 2025, bilateral non-oil trade reached nearly US$38 billion. This marked a 34 percent increase from the same period in 2024 and was described as a major step toward the UAE’s 2030 trade targets.

The Joint Task Force also reviewed progress on investment projects. This included the Bharat Mart complex in Jebal Ali Free Zone, covering 2.7 million square feet. The project will allow Indian manufacturers and exporters to showcase their products globally.

Both sides discussed new opportunities in the maritime and space sectors.

Central Bank initiatives were also on the agenda. These include enabling trade in local currencies, integrating payment systems and cooperation on Central Bank Digital Currencies. Both delegations commended the progress and committed to finalizing implementation soon.

The meeting also examined current challenges faced by investors. The co-chairs directed teams to coordinate with relevant authorities to resolve issues promptly and fairly.

At the close, Sheikh Hamed said, “The trade and investment relationship between the UAE and India continues to grow at an impressive rate, anchored by the dual principles of shared goals and joint success".

"Today’s Joint Task Force meeting included positive progress updates on a number of important initiatives and also raised new areas for future cooperation", he added.

"Through the ongoing commitment of the Joint Task Force delegations, this forum will continue to play a key role in broadening and deepening the economic partnership between the UAE and India".

Minister Piyush Goyal said, “India has been on a remarkable journey as the world’s fastest growing large economy and is committed to inclusive, sustainable and resilient growth".

"UAE is an important partner in India's growth story. The partnership stands on the pillars of innovation, investment and sustainable development and it will witness great transformation under the visionary leadership of both sides", added Mr. Goyal.